New Taipei City Government announced the opening of its first man-made wetlands park in Zhonghe District March 10.
Located on 6.7 hectares of land in the vicinity of a major traffic interchange—between National Highway No. 3 and the Northern Ring Road—Zhanghe Wetlands will additionally serve as an educational center, aid flood management and water cleaning, and act as a habitat for wetlands species, The city's Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Liou Her-ran said.
With 1 hectare of open water surface area, the park was constructed using green methods in accordance with the area’s natural topography, and utilizing the dykes and water channels left behind from the area’s previous use as terraced paddies, Liou said. Due to its location in a valley, it will also make an excellent habitat for butterflies.
To promote the park’s educational function, it will be working with Banqiao 435 Culture Park’s Wetlands Story House to develop itineraries for students, Liou said.
The park’s name was selected by local residents after a competition that received an enthusiastic response. Over 900 names were put forward, and the winning entry, Zhanghe, is based on a traditional place name and the concept of harmonious coexistence with nature. (SDH)